Influence of prior experience on spatial orientation and self-motion perception

Many aspects of our perception and behavior are influenced by prior knowledge. We are usually unaware of this influence, but every now and then we notice its effects, for example when you lift a mug you thought was still full of coffee, only to find that it is almost empty. Prior knowledge also affects our spatial perception. For example, when walking to a new destination, the return journey often feels different from the outward one, partly because on the way back we already have prior knowledge about the distance to be covered. This dissertation investigates how prior knowledge influences our vestibular perception of spatial orientation and self-motion. My research involved measuring participants in behavioral experiments and modeling the collected data using mathematical models. I conclude that vestibular perception is affected by prior knowledge about task-relevant stimulus history, accumulated over multiple timescales.